Margie G. Pate

Margie G. (Grippo) Pate, 84, of Fanwood, N.J., went home to Heaven on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 after a long illness. Her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, supported and strengthened her during her illness, and ultimately brought her the peace that passes all understanding.

Margie was born to the late Beulah (Fairchild) Grippo and John Grippo, at their home in Kenilworth, NJ, where she attended Kenilworth Gospel Chapel for many years. She married her late husband, Jessie Pate, on Valentine's Day, 1953, and they lovingly raised two children – and many pets – together for almost 60 years.
Although being a mother and homemaker was her primary occupation, Margie worked several jobs during her marriage, including her last, and most loved, position as a school crossing guard for her beloved Town of Fanwood.

Visitation and life celebration will be on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford, N.J., from 4 to 8 p.m. Go to grayfuneralhomes.com for on line condolences. A funeral service will be held at the Gray Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at 10 am. Interment will be at Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth, N.J.

Margie temporarily leaves behind to mourn her loving children and their spouses, Diana Lynn Todisco (Frank) and Jeffrey Pate (Wendy), as well as four grandchildren, Dawn Marie Pate Ponzio, Michael Pate (Stacie), Christopher Pate (Beth) and Tyler Todisco, as well as five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Margie's name to Teen Challenge, 245 Stanton Mountain Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833.